Accelerating Transformations

The rapidly changing geopolitical context requires companies, nations, regions, and cities to work together to drive transformations that can bring us forward. The World Alliance for Low Carbon Cities organized its annual Forum in Porvoo and Espoo 21.-22.10.2025. A declaration presented to Minister Joakim Strand at the Forum suggested that Finland can use springboards, or industrial hubs, to accelerate needed transformations. A position paper outlining how Finland can lead the way, based on this declaration, is now available.

Through an initiative called Springboard Plaza, the World Alliance for Low Carbon Cities (WALCC) is collaborating with Synocus to engage leading Finnish springboards to accelerate the European clean industrial transformation. This collaboration will also strengthen the participating companies in their efforts to shape markets and spearhead clean and digital innovations.

Finland can use data centers and hydrogen innovations as a stronghold when supporting the European energy transformation. This will be one of the showcases of Springboard Plaza when exhibiting the Finnish “Together we are stronger” ethos. Leading companies will co-create the agenda and roadmap for how to move forward. We aim to share experiences and develop capabilities that enable Finland to shape future markets and influence evolving regulations.

To determine how Finland can best accelerate the European energy transformation, the WALCC and Synocus will solicit recommendations from leading Finnish companies on positioning Finland as a European leader in systemic industrial transformation efforts.

For further information or to express interest in joining Springboard Plaza, please contact Jussi Hulkkonen (first.last@walcc.org) or Johan Wallin (first.last@synocus.com).

Porvoo Mayor Jani Pitkäniemi opening the WALCC Forum in Porvoo outlining Porvoo’s aim to drive the green transition by accelerating the hydrogen economy.

Markku Markkula, Chair of the European Green Deal Going Local initiative, engaging a panel discussion on international collaboration with mayors Kai Mykkänen of Espoo and Lauri Inna of Pori as well as Tuuli Kaskinen, CEO of the Climate leadership Coalition